How to Plan a Farm Shop Picnic

A farm shop picnic is one of the easiest ways to turn a day out in Cornwall into something special. It feels relaxed, it suits all ages, and it lets you enjoy proper local food without booking a table or planning a full meal. At Boscastle Farm Shop, you can build a basket from the butchery, deli, bakery and sweet bakes.

The best part is that a farm shop picnic can be as simple or as generous as you like. Pick a few savoury favourites, add fresh sides, choose something sweet, then find a sunny spot and enjoy the view.

Why choose a farm shop picnic?

A farm shop picnic gives you food with a sense of place. Instead of a rushed supermarket meal deal, you can pack food made with care, seasonal ingredients and Cornish flavour. It is ideal for a walk along the coast, a family beach day, a garden lunch or a quiet afternoon with friends.

Boscastle Farm Shop is a natural place to start. The shop stocks homemade products, butchery items, deli food, fresh fruit and vegetables, grocery essentials and plenty of picnic extras. That means you can build the whole meal in one stop, from the main event to the napkin-saving chutney.

Build your farm shop picnic around savoury favourites

Start with food that is easy to carry and good to share. A Traditional Steak Pasty is a classic picnic choice, especially when you want something filling, neat and full of flavour. For a real Cornish basket, add a handmade quiche, slices of pie or a Scotch egg.

The deli is also a strong place to look for picnic ideas. Boscastle Farm Shop makes food by hand from its farmhouse kitchen, with pies, pasties and quiches among the favourites. A Chicken, Ham & Leek Pie or Red Ruby Steak & Ale Pie can be sliced and shared, while a Scotch egg gives you an easy grab-and-go option.

If you want a heartier farm shop picnic, add something from the butchery. The shop is known for beef, lamb and pork, including Home Farm Red Ruby Rib-Eye Steak, corner cut of topside, handmade pork sausages and Hog's Pudding. Cook sausages or burgers at home, chill them properly, then pack them with rolls, salad leaves and a good dollop of relish.

Add fresh sides, cheese and crunch

A good farm shop picnic needs balance. Fresh vegetables bring colour and crunch, while fresh fruit adds a juicy, refreshing finish. Choose cherry tomatoes, salad leaves, cucumber, apples, berries or whatever looks best on the day.

Cheese and crackers are another easy win. Pair local cheese with oatcakes, crispbreads or seeded crackers, then add charcuterie for a grazing-board feel. A jar of chutney lifts everything, especially pork pies, sausage rolls, quiche and cheese. Jams and honey can also work well with soft cheese, scones or sweet bakery treats.

For extra texture, add snacks such as crisps, tortilla chips or savoury nibbles. These keep the picnic relaxed and help fill the gaps between the main items.

Choose drinks for every picnic basket

Soft drinks, juices and sparkling options are useful for family days out. Pack them chilled, especially in warm weather. For adults, cider, beer, ale or wine can make a farm shop picnic feel more like a treat. Keep glass, local rules and responsible drinking in mind, particularly if you are heading to a beach, harbour or coastal path.

A flask is useful too. Coffee, tea or hot chocolate can save a breezy day, while chilled water is essential for summer walks.

Finish with something sweet

No farm shop picnic is complete without cake. The sweet bakery is perfect for treats that are easy to portion and pass around. Carrot Cake Slice, Cherry Bakewell Slice and Brownies are all tempting choices. You could also pack homemade cakes, biscuits, buns or a cream tea style finish with jam.

If you are staying close by and have a cool bag, ice cream from the frozen section can turn a simple lunch into a proper summer moment. Just make sure it is the last thing you buy and the first thing you eat.

Pack your farm shop picnic the easy way

A little planning keeps the food at its best. Use a cool bag for meat, dairy, pies, quiche and drinks. Pack heavier items at the bottom, keep cakes in a separate tub, and wrap anything crumbly. Bring a sharp knife, a small board, reusable plates, napkins, cups and a rubbish bag.

Think in layers: savoury main, fresh side, cheese or charcuterie, snack, drink and sweet treat. That simple formula makes your farm shop picnic feel generous without making it complicated.

Make it local, seasonal and stress free

The joy of a farm shop picnic is that it changes with the seasons. In spring, think quiche, salad and cake. In summer, go for fruit, soft drinks, cheese and chilled deli food. In autumn, choose pies, chutneys and richer bakes. In winter, wrap up warm and pack pasties, sausages, hot drinks and something sweet.

Fill your basket with farm shop favourites, find the perfect spot and enjoy a picnic packed with the flavours of Boscastle. With fresh local produce and plenty to choose from in store, it’s the perfect way to savour Cornwall outdoors.